[url]http://rds.yahoo.com/_ylt=A0geu6Xu5ThJMnEB9DxXNyoA;_ylu=X3oDMTEzMmk5OGhwBHNlYwNzcgRwb3MDMQRjb2xvA2FjMgR2dGlkA1IyMDRfMTMz/SIG=129575lc5/EXP=1228552046/**http%3a//www.gmanews.tv/pacquiao-delahoya/taleofthetape[/url] I went ahead and posted a tale of the tape to support this position of mine. But despite a 4" height and 5" reach advantage (which is hardly unprecedented) in favor of DLH, I don't see the big deal when you consider the following: *Pac easily moved up to 135 back in June to KO David Diaz in the 9th. in his first lightweight bout. On fight night he actually weighed 147. *De La Hoya weighed in @ 145 last week and will seemingly have no problem whatsoever making 147 for the official weigh-in. This is a weight he hasn't fought at in almost 8 years. *People throughout the boxing community question as to wether or not DLH's stamina will hold, especially under the weight loss acheived for this fight. On the other hand, Pac is looking more muscular than before and reports no problems at all with the weight increase. In regard to the weight mentioned above, I'm of the opinion Pac looked just as fast for the Diaz fight as he has in the past. One could argue that he may have gained considerable power when you consider he KO'd a tough and seasoned Lightweight in Diaz. I'm beginning to think all this may serve to balance the whole thing out just a bit. I think DLH's gonna hafta utilize the jab better than he ever has in order to pull this off. I seriously don't think it's gonna be as easy for him as everyone thinks. Manny has always moved inside well and once there can be very explosive. In regard to DLH, I can't help but to feel this weight is gonna have an adverse effect on his power shots, which he's always relied on in the past. Let us also reflect on how DLH weighed 150.5 for the Forbes fight and seemed to be lacking in the power area. Even Money commented on this after watching the fight when their rematch was being considered. What do you all think?:bbb
I'm with you. A lot of people have a habit of jumping on bandwagons, and the current trend is to critisize what could be the most exciting fight of the year. And then they cry when Mayweather fights Baldomir. The Pacman's up for it, the Golden Boy is up for it, and it will be one hell of a fight. Guaranteed that the same people moaning about this fight will be watching it on Saturday night.
Agreed. Roberto Duran [5”7] beat Ray Leonard [5”10] Roberto Duran [5”7] beat Iran Barkley [6”1] (at 160, after starting at 118 ) Ruslan Chagaev [6”1] beat Nikolai Valuev [7”0] (almost 100lbs difference) Willie Pep [5”5] beat Sandy Saddler [5”8.5] Henry Armstrong [5”5] beat Fritzie Zivic [5”10] (natural feather vs. welter) Ray Robinson [5”11] was whooping Joey Maxim [6”1] (2 years or so earlier Robinson was at 147, then was beating the champ at 175 before heat intervened) Roy Jones Jr [5”11] beat John Ruiz [6”2] (former middleweight vs. HW) Mickey Walker consistently fought and beat much bigger men. Jimmy Wilde [5”2] knocked out men twice his weight. Those are just off the top of my head (except for the heights, which I had to look up). There are MANY, MANY more examples of this. Out sport has a history of these sort of fights, where great small fighters step up to challenge a bigger fighter... it's only frowned upon today because of the obsession with weight, and the disdain for De La hoya!
It's very hard to discuss what Pacquiao will be able to deliver in this fight simply because we don't know how he will perform at this weight as he has never done before, this is the MAIN reason why people are picking DLH and easily in this one. I know that Pac made a move to Lightweight recently and got a spectacular KO over a good opponent but still you didn't point out that Pacquiao didn't even settle at Lightweight, he just had ONE fight there and didn't even have enough for us to discuss his performance in that weight let alone Welterweight. As far as power is concerned the advantage goes 110%(as almost every other thing, except for age) to DLH. Even if Pacquiao proves he can punch, DLH already proved he can take a punch and took punches from Middleweight Bernard Hopkins, the undisputed champion at the time and arguably P4P#1 and ALSO exchanged against CURRENT WBA Middleweight champion Felix Sturm. Do I think Pacquiao will be able to hurt him?, doubtful, please note that the Bernard Hopkins KO came from a body punch, any other shot to the head DLH was able to take and keep coming and those are serious signs. I know moving down in weight for DLH might be difficult but still he has the size advantage so I don't see the big deal here unless he's totally drained, to be honest even if he's drained he will be tough for Manny to handle, that's how secure DLH is in this fight in my opinion. My prediction remains Pacquiao by decision based on PURE heart and hope. In reality I'm expecting a painful early KO win for DLH, I won't be surprised to see him actually carry Pacquiao and make it look half competitive before finishing the job. It's very simple to come up with that prediction, just look at the advantages. Pacquiao's ONLY advantage in this fight is age. Height, reach, size, power and experience all goes to DLH. Please remember that DLH gave a defensive master in Mayweather HELL before losing and that's a DEFENSIVE fighter, Pacquiao isn't that well known for his defense and his defense isn't great either so expect to see him take serious bombs as early as the first round. Even when we discuss the advantages and TRY to give Pacquiao anything it's just not possible, we DON'T know how his insane power, speed, workrate, stamina and chin will be at this weight, that's why not many are picking Pacquiao simply because when it comes to Pacquiao it's just one HUGE question mark. Of course Pacquiao has a chance to prove all of that false by performing and showing what he can offer/apply in this fight and give the audience a better idea of how he is as a Welterweight.
He won't be anywhere near middleweight. He won't be higher than 154, most likely around 151ish. Have you seen the shape he is in? He looks like a welterweight, not a weight-drained middleweight, or even light-middleweight.
No disrespect to any of the fighters you mentioned above but none are DLH in my opinion. I know Duran beat Leonard the first time they met and we know exactly why Leonard lost, he decided to fight the style Duran wanted him to and still lost a very close decision, just a wrong style he picked for this fight simply because he wanted to put on a show. In the rematch he showed who's the superior fighter. DLH is a gold medalist, former 10 time world champion, 6 division world champion and a true special rare fighter.
Yes agreed. But he's not the fighter he once was, either. Still a very, very good fighter, and unless he's slipped a lot further since Forbes, he should win it. I just don't like seeing people write this fight off, when the sport has always endorsed these sort of fights, and justifiably so given the results! :good
Nice. We haven't always agreed on Mayweather related issues, but I've always respected your opinion as a very well read boxing fan. Thanks for the input.:good
I don't think Pacquiao can conceivably win this fight, but you'd have to be a moron or low on money to miss this fight. Garunteed action from start to finish.
